There is a new star on 11th St. When we say star we mean “star”.
The great people of Modesto always knew that the food Fix Truck operated by Hank and Ashley Olson is one of our local treasures. Then they were sampled by Chef Alton Brown and then featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri and the rest of the world learned the Food Fix secret we all knew; great food with everything made in house, innovative tastes and a great solid value that leaves you wanting more. Now Hank and Ashley are bringing the amazing tastes to the 11th St. dining zone. Hank and Ashley have done more than recreate their critically acclaimed Food Fix truck, but have expanded their offerings, baking more of their own bread, and now serve a great line up of beer. The space is beautiful, open and accessible.

They have poured their hearts and wallets into the Butcher and Baker and even had a successful Kickstarter campaign and the names of donors are on the chairs and stools. Did I mention that there are a lot of Food Fix fans? The Food Fix crew has a great relationship with their customers, from the Kickstart support to even naming, via an online poll, the Filthy Fix Sandwich.

One small thing caught my eye, and you have to be a long time Modesto food fan to understand. One of the menu items is a Sweet & Sour Vinegar Cole Slaw. This is the closest slaw I have found to my old favorite that used to be served at El Faro Mexican restaurant by Luis Fregoso. When I complimented Hank about this, he revealed that he’s “related” to Luis and that many of his dishes are a tribute to him. There is even a stool at the bar, with Luis’ name on the back. I can only hope that someday soon, there may be an “El Faro Pop Up” day. One can dream. But until then, everything that Hank and Ashley makes is top of the class and really filling. One of my favorites is the Filthy Fix, with just the right amount cured pork, mayo, cream cheese, grilled sweet onions and bell peppers, and hot waxed peppers. The fresh baked Bolillo buns take it over the top. It’s amazing.

Hank and Ashley are truly a dedicated husband and wife team. They met when he was instructor and her cooking and baking skills, as well as her artistic skills are amazing. The mural of the Food Fix truck is her creation. They were just married when Hank proposed the Food Truck and they worked hard on that. After the TV shows aired, business jumped 500% and never really let off. They have been going full speed ahead creating the Butcher and Baker and in the meantime, managed to have kids and be a family. You can truly see their teamwork in each menu item and when you walk in, the space is light and airy with cool subway tile and even some old school video games. It can be busy, but here is where the training in the food truck pays off, they are fast. They are used to cooking under pressure and the plates come out beautiful, hot and loaded with side like daily mac and cheese special, and of course house made chips and the slaw. You seriously just need to work down the menu and try them all. Otherwise you will stand there, unable to choose.

When I asked Hank what his favorite menu item was, it was a tough call and finally landed on his Porkstrami, something he created as a cooking instructor at Institute of Technology culinary school, when the meat did not arrive for his brisket brine, so Porkstrami was born. And boy are we lucky.

The craziest thing he has ever put on the menu came from Ashley when someone asked for a Girl Scout Cookie Cookie so the super decadent Walkie Delight was created as a cookie topped cookie. The other was the 3 Little Pigs which was a combo of Porkstrami, Bacon and Belly.

So after we finally made through our Luau Fix, loaded with cured pork, Mayo, Havarti (love this) Grilled Pineapple, Chili Garlic BBQ sauce, Scratch made Pretzel Roll and the Pepper Jacked Club with Turkey, Honey Pepper Bacon, Organic greens and scratch made on Focaccia, along with our sides, our taste buds were just buzzing. If that weren’t enough, Ashley brought out fresh baked cookies. We sampled the Birthday Cake, The Cinnamon Toast and the Bacon, Chocolate and Butterscotch chip. It is a tasty tour that you need to try. Finally, after we shook off our food coma, I asked Hank; Beatles or Stones? It was a quick Stones. In fact he said “I almost wore my Stones T-shirt today”.

Just like the Food Fix truck, you order at the counter and then sit back in a beautiful open space and wait for the deliciousness to arrive. Also, you can eat and run and get your Food Fix to go and wait to come back and linger another day.

For now, the Butcher and Baker is open for Lunch hours 11am – 3 pm. Later in September, they will be starting dinner service. Stay tuned to ModestoView and we will keep you posted on that. Evenings on the patio sound great.

You can still find the original Food Fix truck at special events and you can book the truck for your own gathering. We know we will see you downtown and hope you enjoy it.

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Chris Murphy is the President and CEO of Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and Publisher and Founder of ModestoView Inc. Chris worked globally in the cycling industry returning to Modesto in 1996. He is also the founder of the Modesto Historic Graffiti Cruise Route, Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame, Modesto Rockin’ Holiday, the Modesto Music History Organization and co-founder of the Modesto Area Music Association. Chris is married to his artist wife Rebecca since 1985 and has two daughters Madison and Abigail, both graduating from Modesto High and UC Berkeley. He is lead singer and guitarist for his band, Third Party that donates their performances to non-profits.